A New Approach to Car Sales
During the event, Zheng Yan, the vice president of Xiaomi Technology Japan Co., Ltd., confirmed that the Japanese market will follow a similar sales strategy to China, where electric vehicles will be sold in Xiaomi’s own mobile phone stores. This is a bold and innovative move, blending the worlds of consumer electronics and electric vehicles in a way that very few companies have attempted. While the specific release date for the SU7 Ultra in Japan has yet to be announced, this strategy indicates that Xiaomi is committed to a unified retail experience.
Along with the full-sized car, Xiaomi also unveiled a series of 1:18 die-cast models of the SU7 series. The SU7 Ultra model is priced at 16,800 yen, which is roughly $112, while the standard SU7 model sells for 14,800 yen, approximately $98. These highly detailed collectibles offer a way for fans to own a piece of Xiaomi’s automotive history even before the full-sized vehicles hit the roads.
Expanding Retail Presence
Xiaomi’s presence in Japan has been steadily growing. The company opened its first Xiaomi Store in Saitama City on March 22 of this year. The store is a hub for more than 160 different products, ranging from smartphones and tablets to TVs and a wide array of smart home devices. According to Zheng Yan, Xiaomi currently has two stores in Saitama Prefecture and plans to open three more in the Tokyo metropolitan area by the end of the year. The company is also looking ahead, with plans to expand to Osaka and Nagoya next year, and is even considering a nationwide expansion in the future.
Xiaomi’s long-term vision for Japan includes opening five to ten Mi Home stores by 2025. This expansion aims to introduce the full smart home business model to the country and will include the sale of large appliances like air conditioners. This strategy aligns with Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing’s announcement that the company plans to open 10,000 Mi Stores worldwide in the next five years. Furthermore, it was revealed last month that Xiaomi Auto has its sights set on the European electric vehicle market, with an official entry planned for 2027.
Source: ITHome